“USS Shangri-la (CVS-38) with CVW-8 embarked departing Mayport, Florida5 March 1970, returning to the western Pacific after an absence of ten years, on her first South China Sea deployment and her first Vietnam Combat cruise, during the Vietnam Conflict/War, steaming through the Southern Atlantic, operating with the United States Atlantic Command under the direction of the 2nd Fleet, stopping at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the 13th to the 16th and headed east through the Southern Atlantic around Cape of Good Hope to the Indian Ocean, steaming through the straits of Malacca, arriving in Subic Bay, R.P., on 4 April and, during the next seven months, launched combat sorties from Yankee station. Her tours of duty on Yankee station were punctuated by frequent logistics trips to Subic Bay, by visits to Manila, R.P., and Hong Kong, B.C.C., in October, and by 12 days in drydock at Yokosuka, Japan, in July. On 9 November 1970, Shangri-La stood out of Subic Bay to return home, en route to Mayport, she visited Sydney, Australia; Wellington, N.Z.; and either steamed through the Indian Ocean around Cape of Good Hope 5 December 1970 or through the Western Pacific to the Eastern Pacific and Southern Pacific around Cape Horn, operating with theUnited States Atlantic Command (Atlantic Fleet) under the direction of the 2nd Fleet, stopping at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, arriving in Mayport on 16 December and began preparations for inactivation (5 March to 16 December 1970)” (Ref. 1-Shangri-La, 72 & 76).

Operations "Blue Sky," with elements of the Republic of China Air Force; "Commando Tiger," conducted in the Sea of Japan, involving air units of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force (ROKAF); and, after exiting the Tsugara Straits, "Autumn Flower," air defense exercises with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) and the United States Fifth Air Force.

Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE), Operation Steel Tiger andmonitoring both Indian and Pakistani operations and maritime and air traffic on the one hand, and the increasing numbers of Soviet aircraft and vessels on the other.

“USS Saratoga (CVA-60)with CVW-3 embarked departed Mayport, Florida11 April 1972, on her first deployment to the Western Pacific, o n her first South China Sea deployment and her first Vietnam Combat cruise, during the Vietnam Conflict/War, steaming through the North Atlantic, operating with the United States Atlantic Command (Atlantic Fleet) under the direction of the 2nd Fleet, she steamed through the Mediterranean Sea on her 12th voyage in which eleven were deployments operating with the 6th Fleet, en route to the Suez Canal, making her first transit, steaming through the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean through the straits of Malacca, arriving in Subic Bay on 8 May 1972, departed for Vietnam the following week, Saratoga operated in the Tonkin Gulf a total of seven line periods with her first line period on the line (18 May to 21 June), attacking targets ranging from enemy troop concentrations in the lower panhandle to petroleum storage areas northeast of Hanoi, having suffered the loss of four aircraft and three pilots when on 21 June 1972, two of her F-4 Phantoms attacked three MiG 21s over North Vietnam. Dodging four surface to air missiles, one of the F-4s, piloted by Cmdr. Samuel C. Flynn Jr., with radar intercept officer Lt. William H. John, shot down one of the MiG aircraft. This Phantom, Bureau number 157307, was later transferred to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The aircraft was transferred upon its arrival at Dulles International Airport on 29 November 1988. Saratoga's planes attacked targets ranging from enemy troop concentrations in the lower panhandle to petroleum storage areas northeast of Hanoi. On her second line period, she lost an F-4 to enemy fire northeast of Hanoi with the pilot and radar intercept officer missing in action. During this period, her aircraft flew 708 missions against the enemy. During her second line period (1 July to 16 July), she lost an F-4 to enemy fire northeast of Hanoi with the pilot and radar intercept officer missing in action during one of 708 missions flown against the enemy; having been reclassified as a "Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier" (CV-60) 30 June 1972. During her third line period (28 July to 22 August), Lt. Jim Lloyd, flying an A-7 on a bombing mission near Vinh, had his plane shot out from under him by a SAM on 6 August 1972. He ejected into enemy territory at night. In a daring rescue by helicopters supported by CVW-3 aircraft the following day, he was lifted from the midst of enemy soldiers and returned to Saratoga. It was the deepest penetration by U.S. helicopters into enemy territory since 1968. On 10 August 1972, one of the ship's CAP jet fighters splashed a MiG at night using Sparrow missiles. During her fourth line period (2 September to 19 September), Saratoga CVW-3 aircraft flew over 800 combat strike missions against targets in North Vietnam. On her fifth line period (29 September to 21 October), 83 close air support sorties were flown in six hours on 20 October in support of a force of 250 Territorial’s beleaguered by the North Vietnamese 48th Regiment, killing 102 North Vietnamese soldiers, saving the small force, enabling ARVN troops to advance (In October 1972. During a port visit to Singapore suffered a fire in the boiler-room. Three crewmen were killed, 12 were injured and the carrier was lightly damaged). During her sixth line period (5 November to 8 December) and seventh line period (18 December to 31 December), aircraft battered targets in the heart of North Vietnam for over a week by CVW-3 aircraft. Saratoga departed "Yankee Station" for Subic Bay on 7 January 1973 and sailed for the United States, stopping at Singapore before steaming through the straits of Malacca to the Indian Ocean, through the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aden, making her second transit steaming through the Mediterranean Sea, operating with the 6th Fleet, she traveled through the North Atlantic and headed South, en route to Mayport, Florida, operating under the direction of the United States Atlantic Command (Atlantic Fleet) under the direction of the 2nd Fleet (received one battle star for service in the Vietnam War) (11 April 1972 to13 February 1973)” (Ref. 1-Saratoga, 72 & 76).

“USS Midway (CVA-41) with CVW-5 embarked departed San Diego, Ca., transferring to Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi, Japan), marking the first forward-deployment of a complete carrier task group in a Japanese port (dependents housed along with the crew in a foreign port), the result of an accord arrived at on 31 August 1972 between the U.S. and Japan, while the move had strategic significance because it facilitated continuous positioning of three carriers in the Far East at a time when the economic situation demanded the reduction of carriers in the fleet. Her third deployment since her second recommission 31 January 1970, her ninth deployment since her first recommission and her 22nd deployment since her commission 10 September 1945 (11 September to 6 October 1973)” (Ref. 1-Midway, 72 & 76).

Tour of duty with the 7th Fleet, to strengthen the U.S. Naval presence in the crucial Indian Ocean area as tensions heightened over Iran's taking of 52 American diplomats hostage.

Played a key role in CrisEx-79, a joint naval amphibious exercise with the Spaniards that envisioned a scenario to repel invaders from gaining a foothold along the SpanishMediterranean Sea coast; operating closely with Spanish destroyer SPS Mendez Nuńez (D-63), which she integrated into her screen, while the evolution involved more than two dozen ships and submarines and 35,000 troops; MultiPlEx, an exercise incorporating two carrier task forces in combined operations in the Mediterranean Sea,and then will steam from the Med to the Southern Atlanticvia Cape of Good Hope operating under the direction of the 2nd Fleet, on her firstIndian Ocean, sailing in the NorthArabian Sea and into the Gulf of Oman to a staging area off the southeast Coast of Iran operating with the 7th Fleet, to strengthen the U.S. Naval presence in the crucial Indian Ocean area as tensions heightened over Iran's taking of 52 American diplomats hostage, in what would turn out to be Operation Eagle Claw (Operation Rice BowlandOperation Evening Light), the attempt to rescue the US Embassy workers being held hostage in Tehran, Iran.

“…I told you that I had confidence in your high state of preparedness for any task which might be demanded of you,” ADM Hayward told the crew during their time in the Gulf. “You proved without question in the ensuing months that my confidence and that of your countrymen across America and your shipmates throughout the Navy was especially well placed…Your countrymen are very proud of you, and they have every right to be.”

VADM George E.R. Kinnear, II, Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic, held a high level planning conference concerning the ship’s deployment to the Indian Ocean, on board Nimitz off Naples on 3 January 1980.

Nimitz anchored off Naples then headed for the Indian Ocean via Cape of Good Hope.

Nimitz sailed in response to the Iranian crisis, leading a nuclear-powered battle group including California and Texas from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean on 4January 1980. The three ships stood out of separate Italian ports and rendezvoused, sailing at a speed of advance of 25 knots around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope and into the Indian Ocean to “Gonzo Station” (derisively named by sailors serving there, supposedly deriving the term from Gulf of Oman Naval Zoo Operation).

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), USS South Carolina (CGN-37)and USS Virginia (CGN-38) relieved Nimitz and her group, including guided missile cruisers California (CGN-37) and Texas (CGN-39) from 7 to 8 May 1980, after the crew endured 108 days, operating 144 of them continuously at sea, including 115 of Iranian contingency operations on station during Operation Eagle Claw (Operation Rice Bowl and Operation Evening Light), the attempt to rescue the US Embassy workers being held hostage in Tehran, Iranin theIndian Ocean, NorthArabian Sea and into the Gulf of Oman to a staging area off the southeast Coast of Iran referred to as “Gonzo Station.”

NATOExercise "Daily Double," with the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA-4), as well as with Greek and Italian Navy units, operated in the Indian Ocean, on "Gonzo Station," for the first time between 12 May and 3 June 1981 and "Weapons Week."

“USS Forrestal (CV-59) with CVW-17 embarked departed Mayport, Fla. 7 June 1982, on her 17thMediterranean Sea deployment operating with the 6th Fleet in the eastern Mediterranean in support of the Lebanon Contingency Force of 800 U.S. Marines in Beirut and her first Indian Ocean deployment with the 7th Fleet, traveling through the North Atlantic, operating with the United States Atlantic Commandunder the direction of the 2nd Fleetto theMediterranean, transiting the Suez Canal for the first time in her 28-year history, she steamed through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean, marking the first time that Forrestal had operated with Seventh Fleet since the 1967 Vietnam cruise and upon conclusion of operations, steamed through the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, making her second transit through the Suez Canal, to the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic, completing the five and one-half month deployment with a nighttime arrival at Mayport Fla., on November 16 and immediately began preparing for the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The ship shifted homeport to Philadelphia, Penn., on 18 January 1983, and embarked on the 28-month, $550 million SLEP, designed to extend the life of U.S. aircraft carriers another 15 to 20 years (7 June to 16 November 1982)” (Ref. 1-Forrestal & 72).

Participated in a "war at sea" scenario with aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), conducting flight operations in association with the "hostilities" phase of ReadiEx 1-83, passing eastward through the Strait of Gibraltar and immediately began AdEx 1-83, an air operations exercise with the Royal Moroccan Air Force on 26 March 1983, National Weekin the Western Mediterranean Sea, operating as Orange flagship against Blue forces led by aircraft carrier USS Nimitz(CVN-69), Operation Beacon Flash 83-6 with the Omanis, MultiPlEx 83-3, a combined arms exercise, Carl Vinsonoperated with guided missile cruiser Worden (CG-18) and attack submarine Phoenix (SSN-702), OperationBeacon South 83-2, OperationVector South vs. USAF McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles of the 13th Air Force’s 18th Tactical Fighter Wing operating in the maritime role, served as flagship for Battle Group Charlie during OperationBright Star 83-4/Eastern Wind with USMC and the Somali units in the Gulfof Aden,AnnualEx 83-58Gin the Sea of Japan.

“USS Coral Sea (CV-43) with CVW-14 embarked (tail code NK) departed Alameda, California 23 March 1983, on her home port transfer to Norfolk, Va., on her 15th “Westpac” deployment, operating with the Pacific Fleet (25 January 1960 to Present) and tour of duty with the 7th Fleet, on her third Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea deployment and first World Tour, her first Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and Suez Canal transit, on her tenth voyage in the Mediterranean Sea, and third cruise to the Caribbean Sea (first two under the direction of the 6th Fleet) With Captain Johnson, Jerome L. in command, Coral Sea participated in battle group operation exercises near USSR with USS Midway (CV-41) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65) upon departure from Alameda, Ca. and power projection training over Korea and Okinawa and supported landing exercises in the Philippines while operating in the Philippine Sea and made pot call at Subic Bay, R. P. and then made a port call at Sasebo, Hong Kong before departing forthe South China Sea and then to the Golf of Thailand, visiting Phattaya Beach, Thailand before heading back to the South China Sea where she made course for Singapore and upon departure, continued on her course to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea traveling through the Sir of Malacca, a narrow sea, where she conducted air defense exercises over Singapore and operated in the Arabian Sea and plotted a course to the Red Sea, operating with the 6th Fleet, passing through the Gulf of Aden, the entrance to the Red Sea via the Bab el Mandeb Strait, on her way to the Mediterranean Sea by way of the Suez Canal transit North (14 June 1983), showing the flag" between Israel, Lebanon and Libya and made port calls at Naples, Italy & Cannes, France, departing Cannes, France and then the Mediterranean, plotting a new course to the Caribbean Sea, arriving in waters off Nicaragua to counter Soviet arm shipments 9 August 1983 and ended the momentous journey showing "presence" off the coasts of South and Central America near Nicaragua, before entering Norfolk, Va. 12 September 1983, making port calls at Subic Bay, R.P.; Phattaya Beach, Thailand; Sasebo, Japan; Singapore, Naples, Italy & Cannes, France (23 March to 12 September 1983)” (Ref. 1-Coral Sea).

BgaRem-86, a major fleet exercise involving surface, subsurface and air action culminating in an amphibious operation on Maui, Exercise Lightning Flash, PassEx 86-1M, a series of Freedom of Navigation operations in the Gulf of Sidra conducting “daily sorties” and monitoring maritime traffic in the strategically vital Bab-al-Mandeb(Following the terrorist attacks on 27 December 1985 in the Rome and Vienna airports) and Operations in the Vicinity of Libya, OVL, conducting “spinner ops”–attempts to provoke Libyan responseswere approved, resulting from Operation Attain Document III, Operation Prairie Fire andOperation El Dorado Canyon, a joint operation, the Air Force flew 18 F-111F Aardvarks of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, and four EF-111A Ravens from the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, together with 29 tankers, all flying from England, a round trip of nearly 6,000 miles, as a result of the terrorist attacks on 27 December 1985 in the Rome and Vienna airports.

Transfer to the West Coast from Norfolk, Virginia to Bremerton, Washington, crossing the Atlantic Ocean upon conclusion of her Med cruise, steaming through the Southern Atlantic, she will round the rough waters of Cape Horn, South America, and sail for the first time in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

“USS Forrestal (CV-59) with CVW-6 embarked departed Mayport Fla. 25 April 1988, on hersecondIndian Ocean deployment steaming directly to the North Arabian Sea, her first Arabian/Persian Gulf deployment in support of America's Earnest Will operations in the region, steaming through the North Atlantic, operating with the United States Atlantic Commandunder the direction of the 2nd Fleetto theMediterranean, transiting the Suez Canal for the third time, steaming through theRed Sea, and Gulf of Aden steaming directly to the North Arabian Sea. Forrestal spent 108 consecutive days at sea before her first liberty port. During the five and one-half month deployment, Forrestal operated in three ocean areas and spent only 15 days in-port, receiving the Meritorious Unit Citation for her superior operational performance during the deployment, and upon conclusion of operations, steamed through the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, making her second transit through the Suez Canal, to the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic, operating with the United States Atlantic Commandunder the direction of the 2nd Fleeten route to her homeport (25 April to 7 October 1988)” (Ref. 1-Forrestal & 72).

USS Independence (CV-62) - 2nd & Pacific Fleet

SoLant

3rd Cape Horn

SocPac

EastPac

CVW-17

AA

15 Aug 1988

8 Oct 1988

South America

West Coast Transfer

23rd FWFD

55-days

Homeport transit from Norfolk, Virginia to Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego California.

Operated as a show of force in the wake of the suspected hanging of Marine Corps Lt. Col. William R. Higgins by Middle East terrorists, and threats to other hostages. Lt. Col. Higgins had been kidnapped in February 1988 while a member of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.

Third World Cruise 89–90, her Home Port Transfer to the east coast for Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, participating in PacEx 89, a joint large-scale training evolution involving U.S., Japanese and ROK forces, Annualex 89. Two battle forces (including the carriers Enterprise and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)and the battleships USS New Jersey(BB-62) and USS Missouri (BB-63) ("MightyMo" or "Big Mo")) operated in conjunction with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy and Air Force, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps to provide highly successful joint training for Operation Classic Resolve, President George H.W. Bush's response to Philippine President Corazon Aquino's request for air support during the rebel coup attempt, to include open ocean AAW exercises, together with an opposed transit, ASUW and support of amphibious operations, though interrupted by “near daily” Soviet aerial reconnaissance flights to maintain the readiness of components and units of the Combined Forces Command defending the Republic of Korea. USS Alamo (LSD-33) headed to Korea to participate in the bilateral exercise Operation "Valiant Blitz 85-1" in cooperation with elements of the South Korean Navy and Marine Corps, conducted off the coast of Okinawa. Like BALIKATAN / TANGENTFLASH, VALIANT BLITZ 90, comprised of the largest assembly of U.S. naval air and sea power since World War II, was an amphibious operations training conducted off the coast of Okinawa, while coordinated operations involved a three-carrier battle group comprised of the Enterprise, USS Carl Vinson, and USS Constellation (CVN-64). USS Elliot (DD-967) provided naval gunfire support for the marine landing forces and screening actions against hostile forces opposing the transport ships. Two battle forces (including the carriers Enterprise and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and the battleships USS New Jersey(BB-62) and USS Missouri (BB-63) ("MightyMo" or "Big Mo")) operated in conjunction with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy and Air Force, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps to provide highly successful joint training for Operation Classic Resolve, President George H.W. Bush's response to Philippine President Corazon Aquino's request for air support during the rebel coup attempt. Battle Week exercises and or Weapons Week, WASEX, STRIKEX, SAREX, ACM, SINKEX, BANNEREX, highlighted early-to-mid January 1990, including NSSM launch and air-to-air missile shoots (MISSELEX) in the vicinity of Diego Garcia from 4 to 8 January 1990, followed by a five event fly day on 13 February 1990, continuing crossdecking personnel and conducted WASEX against USS Long Beach (CGN-9) (ex-CGN-160, CLGN-160) and Earnest Willexercises.

Operational Reactor Safeguards Examination (ORSE)Team will inspect the ship’s reactors. Coordinated operations involved a three-carrier battle group comprised of the Enterprise, USS Carl Vinson, and USS Constellation (CVN-64). Two battle forces (including the carriers Enterpriseand USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)and the battleships USS New Jersey (BB-62) and USS Missouri (BB-63) ("MightyMo" or "Big Mo") operated in conjunction with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy and Air Force, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps to provide highly successful joint training and Operation Classic Resolve. Battle Week exercises and or Weapons Week, WASEX, STRIKEX, SAREX, ACM, SINKEX, BANNEREX, highlighted early-to-mid January 1990, including NSSM launch and air-to-air missile shoots (MISSELEX) in the vicinity of Diego Garcia from 4 to 8 January 1990 and Earnest Willexercises.